Manufacturing Magazine February 2024 | Page 16

THE MANUFACTURING INTERVIEW
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NOW specifications . Adding to the challenge is inconsistent product information , which leaves their buyers uncertain about finding exactly what they need . A lot of product information is often published in a variety of formats to accommodate the different needs of customers and resellers , exacerbating the issue of poor product data . Consequently , manufacturers often feel reliant on sales reps to keep things up-to-date and guide online shoppers through overwhelming search results . Enter the next biggest challenge : customers still seek live conversations with experts , especially for big-ticket , complex purchases .
This dependency on the traditional sales rep model hinders improvements in e-commerce experiences . It is costly and inefficient for manufacturers , compounded by challenges like skilled labour shortages .
Q . HOW IS AI HELPING TO RESOLVE SOME OF THESE ISSUES ?

ยป The most impactful applications of AI right now lie in training systems to streamline , automate and improve processes that directly impact the customer experience . For example , AI allows manufacturers to gather real-time insights into supply chain bottlenecks , enabling quicker intervention and resolution . The automation of resource-intensive tasks like inventory forecasting and reporting improves product information accuracy and translates to a better online shopping

16 February 2024